A manhunt is currently underway for an inmate who escaped today while a Benton County Corrections Officer was transporting him to Bradley County.
The inmate, Christopher John Taylor, age 24, escaped from the patrol car in Rutherford County.
Benton County Sheriff Ken Christopher told RadioNWTN that Taylor is shackled and handcuffed “so he won’t get too far”.
As of 12:30 p.m., Christopher was on the way to the hospital in Rutherford County where his Corrections Officer was taken after the scuffle with the prisoner. Christopher said the Corrections Officer is being treated for injuries.
Sheriff Christopher said Taylor was serving time in Benton County on probation violation charges “and we were taking him back to Bradley County.”
He said Taylor was able to come through a window in the patrol car when he and the Corrections Officer fought over a taser. Sheriff Christopher said the prisoner was able to get the taser.
Taking part in the search is the THP helicopter, along with THP troopers on the ground, Rutherford County deputies and the Murfreesboro Police Department.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said the escape happened on I-24 near South Church Street.
If you see him, call Dispatch immediately at 615-898-7770.
Taylor was wearing orange pants and a white shirt.